Switch-operator selector



April 24, 1926. 1,666,911

C. W. PRESCOTT SWITCH OPERATOR SELECTOR Filed May 20. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.].. N2

a" V INVENTOR I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR C W Q/ZM who; RENEY April 24, 1928.

C- W. PRESCOTT SWITCH OPERATOR SELECTOR Filed May 20, 1926 Patented Apr. 24, i928.

; U TED] S T- A;

CHARLES w. rimsco'r'nf or 'aocims'rnn, New 531:. as' sreno n .To GENEBALZRAIL- W Y slqnanicomrnny. or ,nooBnSIEB NEW. Yonx,

' swirrcn-ornm'roa snnnci'on. j

v Application filed X11120,

- This invention relates to mechanism whereby a railway track switch may be connected so as to be operable by 'the usual switch stand or by a power operated switch-machine, as conditions require, which mechanism may for convenience' be called switch selector. 1 f

The use of power operatedsw itch ma-' chines for operating t-rack' switches. isqu ite common in modern railway systems, and theiruse is still more common iniinterlock ing plants of" such systems. The use-of switch machines greatly facilitates. the movement of trains,inthat the switches may be operated by operatorsor tower men at acentralized point, but undercertain operat: ing conditions a switch machineofthe usual construction is disadvantageous. Although if conditions require, due to the failureof energy for operating the switch machine, or the like, the switch machine may be cranked by hand, there are other instances where neither the operation of the switch machine by power nor by crankin 'it by hand satisfies the requirements. or instance,- there are times when it is desirable to be able to throw the switchby handvery quickly and at the properinstant; 'for ex-' ample, where switching or shifting of cars is carried on it is quite ofter' necessary for a car to make a flying switch. By :thisis meant, acceleration of a n by the locomotive pulling such car, cutting such car loose from the locomotive, andthen allowing thelocomotive to take one track. and quickly throwing the switch and allowing the car to take the other. 'Byemploying a switch selector embodying the present invention this may be accomplished by a track-switch normally operated by a switch machine by cou-' pling the track switchto a switclrstand of the usual construction and then; operating the track switch very quickly at the proper instant. Y I i In view of the foregoing and 'other-im-' portant considerations, it is-pro'posed in ac- I cordance with the. present invention to provide double throwmechanical coupling mean-swhereby the switch bar of a track switch may be mechanlcally coupled to either the operating barof the usual switch stand or the throwrbar ofa power operated switch machine, as cond tions requ re. In another form of the present lnvention; It is proposed to build a unitary structure ina 1926': "semi 110310304.

casing from which extends a switch bar 'for operating a-track switch, said casing including the necessary mechanism whereby this, switch bar may be operated by a power operable means, or whereby this switch bar may be operated .m'anually fairly directly and without the operation of the power perab le means, depending on the position of a suitable selecting device; said casing pref-.

era'blyalso including circuit closing means for indicating :the position of the track switch regardless of whether the track switch isoperated bythe power operable means or is operated manually.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will be apparent from the drawingsfiand will appear as the description thereof progresses.

i Indescribing the invention inv detail reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in WlllOllZ" Fig.1 shows a. track switch layout,includ ing a power operated switch machine and a switchv stand associated therewith, to which one form of switch selector embodying the present invention hasfbeen shown applied for connecting the track switch-for .operation I by-either' the switch machine or the switch" stand; v .Fig. "2'-is an end elevation of the switch selectorshown in Fig.1 with the base'ther'eof. shown in cross-section;

Fig 3 is a plan .view of the switch selector- ;shownfin Figs. 1 and 2;

. Fig.4 isa sectional elevation taken through the casing, shown in Fig. 5, of a modified form of. the present invention; and

Fig. 15a partial horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4, as viewed in the direction of the Jarrows.-

Referring to Fig. l in which one specific embodiment. of the invention has been show'n,-this fi ure illustrates a main track I comprising rails 1' supported on ties 2, from which diverges the siding comprising rails 3, this siding being connected to the main track through the switch S. To the ties 2 is secured a switch machine SM by bolts 4,

-which switch-machine'may be of any suitable construction, such, for instance, as shown in the patent to Howe, No. 1,466,903,

patented September 4, 1923.

In the particular arrangement shown the ties 2 also support the base, or guide block, B of aswitchselector $8., This guide blockv or base has an upstanding-armBfl which forms the base for the usual switch, stand taining lips B SO'ZLS to aflordjapguide for guiding the switch'bar SB, which'in the particular construction shown. is rather wide. at one end and has its other-end curvechas shown, and has its curvedend,connectedto the front rod of the switch S. From this it will appear that the switch bar SB is free. to slide in theguide block for moving the switch S into either of its extreme positions.

On thewideportion of the-switch bar SB is preferably mounted-a pedestal P, having outwardly projecting ears P and P", which perforated to accommodate the lock phmgersv 10 and 11,..respectively. To the pedestal vP pivotally secured a lock arm 12, from which projectsan upstanding lock lever 13. This. lock lever 13 is preferably locked in one or the other of its two extreme positions, as, by the padlockwl passing through this lever. 13 and one of the holes in the locking sector; P. Directlybelow the ear P of the switch bar SB are provided guides ,P? for guiding the throw-bar TB ofthe switch i'nachine SM, this throw-barbeing perforated so that it is lockedto the switch bar SB when the lever 13 is in the switchmachine position,

in which it has been shown.

In the upstanding arm B is pivotedv a vertically disposed shaft. 20, having pinned thereto a sector 22 (see Figs. 2 and 3), winch sector has an oblong slot 23 therein, which is adapted to receive the other lock plunger 11 when the lock lever 13 is moved to the other extreme, or dotted position. To the shaft 20 is preferably pinned a'collar 2 1- having a bifurcated arm, in the bifurcation of which is pivotally secured the lever 25, suchas used in:the usual sWitch stand,

by a pin 26. This lever 25 is normally inits pendent position, and, is preferably located in any suitable way by a padlock 27.

From this construction it readily appears that if. the switch machine SM is operated, with the switch selector SS in its normal po sition, as shown, the throw-bar .TB of the switch machine will slide the wide' portion of the switch bar. SE in theguides of the guide block B so as to cause the switch S to be operated froinone extreme to theother extreme position upon operation of such switch machine from one extreme to the other extreme position. Also, it 'will readily appear, that if the padlock 14 is re moved and the lever 13 is movedto' the dotted position, that in so doing the'lock plunger 11 is caused to engage the slot 23 and couples the sector 22 to. the switch bar SB, and the lock plunger 10 is disengaged from the throw-bar TB, and that thereafter the switch S may beoperated by the switch Inother words, the construction as illustrated in the first form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 comprise a switch SS or the switch machine SM, dependent on the position. i of suitably normally locked manually adjustable means.

' ]l[0dz'fl6zif0rm.-In myprior patent ap plication Ser. No. 23,543 filed April 16, 1925, I have disclosed aswitch machine of a construction wherein it the, track switch .to which such switch; machine is connected is trailed by arailway car the switch machine will not be damaged,thisbecause a suitablemech-anical detentmechanism' will permit operation ofthe'switch points by such trailing car without rotating the driving gearing and motive power means. In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to modify the-switch machine just referred to in a .manner as presently described, but in order to avoid unnecessary duplication inthis disclosure of many oi! the parts shown in said application, Ihave shown the switch machine of my prior ap plication in a conventional or schematic way, that is, certain of the parts of the switch machine have been omitted. I I

-Referring to'F-ig. 4-, there has been shown the casing 30 of the switch machine SM which includes a. cover 3-1 having a groove in the edge thereof containing a gasket 32. To one end 'of this casing 30 is bolted a suitable motivepower means, such as motor 33, having. a'shaftcontaining a bevel pinion 34, which pinion meshes with the bevelgear 35' for driving the spur gear 36 through the pinions 37 and 38 andthe spur gear 39, thisv spur gear 36 having an eccentric pin 40 (see Fig. 5) projecting therefrom. This pin 40 engages the cam slot of the operating member 41, so that this harp 41 ismoved aboutthe. trunnion 4221s the gear 36 is moved from one extreme position to the other. In this connection it should be noted that the operating member is moved.

only through a very small portion of the,

end bifurcated and connectedto the throw:-

. bar T13 by a pin-46. .The. other extreme end of the operating arm is also bifurcated, but in a verticalplane, and has plvs oted therein on a pin 48a'lock section 47 containing lock plungers 47. and 47 On the trunnion 42 bntabove theaoperating' member 41 is contained a 'gearqsector I5O, havmg a downwardly projecting perforated lug 50 From this construction it will appear if the lock sector assumes .the position in which it is shown the 'operating;member .41.

is mechanically coupled .to the operating arm 45, but that the locking sector 47 is moved to itsother extreme position, thegops erating arm 45 will be JDGClIaDlCHllYxCOD- pled to the gear sector 50. In, the upwardly projecting perforated boss 30 of-the-c'asing 30- is pivotally supported a hollowshaft, or sleeve 51, which contains a pinio1r52, which pinion meshes with the gear sector .50..

operating member 41, and connecttliisop erating arm 45 to the gear sector 50. The1 hollow sleeve 51 has extending therefrom a bifurcated arm'51 in the bifurcationfof which is pivotally secured the handle. 57. This handle 57 is normally in its vertical pendent position between the forks 30 .projecting from the boss/30 and is locked in this position by-apadlock 60. In order to indicate at a distantpoint, the position ;of the trackswitchoperated by the operating arm 45, for signal control and'interlocking purposes, this arm 45 has contact segments such as 61' secured,theretobut insulated therefrom, which segments are adapted to bridge contact 62 suitably carried by and in.-

sulated from the casing 30' for completing suitable indicating circuits, such as the circuits for the"indicatinglights 64 and $65 which have distinctive colors. 1

For reasons'already mentioned the. operation of the'switch machine motor 33 and-its associated mechanism, as more clearly pointed out in the. prior application heretofore mentioned, operates the throw-bar TB from one extreme position to the other extreme position when conditions require'such operation. Let us now assume that it is-desired to operate the track switch." connected} to throw bar TB very quickly a11d .;at an instant which the operator at the distant tower can not determine. In ordertodo this, a

53 to its lower normal position,

man'of the train crew will remove the 'pad lock 54 iand' move the lever53 to the upper dotted position, and. will then again lock this lever 53 in this upper; position by the same padlock. This operation of the handle 53. causes the discs 56 to operate the lockin g sector 47 -to .its upper position in which. the lock plunger 47 engagesQthe perforated boss 50. ofuthe gear sector 50, and '-disengages the lockplnnger 47 from the'harp 41.

Inthis connection 'it' should be noted that the operative connection between the discs 56 and the locking=sector 47 is :present regardless, ofv the position of the operating arm 45, and that the locking sector can not be shifted unless the gear 50,0perating arm 45 and operating. member 41 all assume cor responding positions, and, also that. the lock plungers47 and 47 lock lIloverlapped reways locked tojone or the'other of members 41 and 45. crew wishes to .operate the switchconnected to the throw-bar T13 he will. remove the i padlock 60, move the lever ,57Ftoits horizontal dotted position, and :thenroperatethis lever 57 about the shaft 56 Within the boss lationyso thatithe operatingarm 45 is .al- 3 If now, the man. of the train 30?,s0 as to cause the pinion52:"towoperate I the gear sector -50,"wh1ch gear. sector 50 through the medium of the lock plunger 47* that the arrangementsof parts are preferably snchthat' the handle 57 must be moved through an arc ofsubstantially-lSO degrees operates the operating arm 45) and in turn the throw-bar TB It may be pointed out for movement ofthe track switch from one to the other extreme position.

After the switch has been so operated the lever 57 1nay again'bedrop-pedto its vertical position in which it.may'be locked by the padlock 60 passing through another pair of perforated. ears (not shown) projecting from the boss'3O After the variousman ual operations ofthe' track switch have-been made, the-motor driven mechanism of the switclrmachine may, again becoupled to the 'llO operating arm45jby movement ofthe" lever sired :to point out at this timethatat times the position of thelever 57 may not correspond to that of theo'perating arm 45,:z 1-nd in this event it will be necessary forthe person tryingto'. operate the-switch by handto first .move the lever 57 to theproper posi tion to enable the lock plunger v47 to engage in the hollowboss 50. "Likewise in shifting from. hand; to machine ,operation, if lock plunger 47 be not, at the time, in registry with the opening in operating arm 41, this arm 41- is-to be operated by the switch ma chine to effect the necessary registry.

Having thus shown and described two specific embodiments. of the invention, and

having 'shown rather specific structure for accomplishingtthe desiredfunctions, it is de- Itis .de-

sired to be understoodv that this has been showing the precise structure preferably emv treme positions.

played in practicing the invention or illustrating the scope thereof; and it is: (liQSllGtl to be understood that various changes, modifications andaddi-tions may be made in applying the invention to the particular circumstances and local conditions encountered in practice without departing from the nature orscope of the invention, or the idea of means underlying the same.

lVhat I desire to secure by Letters is 1. In combination with a. railway track switch, power operated means for operating the track switch, a separate switch stand of the usual. construction. for operating the Patent track switch, and means for operatively connecting said track switcl'r to said power operated means or said switch stand while dit-1- connecting it from. said switch stand or power operated means respectively.

2. In combination with a railway track switch, power operated means for operating the track switch, a switch stand of the usual construction for opcrati o; the tracl switch, and selecting means inclur ing' a lever adapted to be locked in: either of two ere treme positions which if in one extreme position: operatively connects said track switch to said power operated means and when in the'other positionconnects .sllld tract: switch to said switch stand.

3. In combination with a railway track switch, power opera-ted means for operating the track switch, manually operable means for operating the track switch, and mean-s for operatively connecting said track switch tosaid power operated means or to said manually operable means including a lever having two extreme positions, and means forlocking said lever in either of said ex- 4. In combination with a railway track switch, power operated means for operating the track switch, a switch stand-of the usual construction for operating the track switch, and means including a lover adaptedto be locked] in either of two extreme p :ions which if in one extreme position operatively connects said track switch to said power operated means and when in the other ere treme position connects said track switch to said switch st an-d,-said means being so constructed that the track switch can not be disconnected from' said power operated means until the track switch has been con nected to said switch stand, and vice versa.

5. In combination with a casing, a switch bar extending through a wall of said casing and adapted to be connected to a railway switch for operating the same, power operated means within said casing, a lever pro- Lane-p11 jecting from saidwcasing, and means within said casingand manually operable from withoutsaid casing to positions for opera ti'vely connecting; said switch bar to said lever or to said pow-er operated means.

6. In combination with. a casing, a switch bar extending through a wall of said casing and adapted to be connected to a railway switch for operating the same, power oper ated means within said casing for operating said switch bar, a handle for manually operating said switch bar, means for opera tively connecting said switch bar to said power operated means or to said handle, and means for indicatingthe position of said switch bar regardless of whether it is operativelyconnected to said power operated meansor to said handle.

7. In combination with a casing, a switch bar extendingthrough a wall of said casing and adapted to be connected to a railway track switch. for operating the same, power opera-ted means within said casingfor operating said switch bar, manually operable means for operating said switch bar including a handle projecting from said casing,

'means to selectively operatively connect the switch bar to the power operated means or the manually operable means, and means for locking said: manually operable means in either of its operating positions.

8. In combination with a railway "track switch, a switch machine of the usual construction, a separate switch stand of "the usual construction, and means for operaitl Hill

tively connecting said track switch to said means including a lever adapted to be locked in either of two extremepositions which if in one extreme position operatiyely connects said track switch to said power operated means and when in the other extreme position operatively connects said track switch to said manually operable 1neans, said select ing meanslbeingso constructed that the operativ-e connection can not be shifted over unless said power operated means and said manually operable means are incorresponding positions.

11. In combination,- a track switch and switch operating rod, a power operated switchinachine and anoperated rod, and a handoperated switch standandan operated inn 1,eee,911

ro'd, and means for operatively Connecting.

the switch rod to the switch machinerod or to the switch stand rod.

12. In a switch operator and selector, a casing, a switch rod in the casing, a second and a third rod in the casing, coupling means for coupling the switch rod with either of the other rods, and manually operable means in she casing for operating one of said other ro s.

13. In a switch operator and selector, a single casing, a power operated rod in the casing, a manually operated rod in the casing, a switch rod in the casing, and means to couple the switch rod to either of the other said rods, at will.

14. Track switch operating means, com-V prising, a switch bar, a connecting member, a power operated rod, a hand operated-rod, a coupling means carried by said member, and means for operably engaging the coupling means with either of said rods for either power or hand operation of the switch bar.

15. Track switch operating means, comprising, a casing, a switch bar, a connectin member, a power operated rod, and a han operated rod, all in said casing, a pivoted yoke shaped coupling means carried by said member, and means'including, a collar engaging said couplln means at all times, a rod extending into tie casing and carrying the collar at its inner end, and lockable" means outside ofthecasing for operating the said collarand its rod, for operablyengaging the coupling means with either of,

said rods for either power or hand operation of the switch bar. a

16. Track switch operating means, comprising,a casing,a switchbar, a connecting gaging the coupling means with either of saidrods for either power or hand opera tion of the switch bar, a hollow shaft sleev-- ing the collar rod, means on the hollow shaft for manually operating said hand operated rod and a lockable, manually operable, handle for operating the hollow shaft. In testimony whereof I afiix m signature.

CHARLES W. PR SCOTT.

the said collar and its rod, for operably-en-- 

